Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the question to make the 1/2 cent county sales tax permanent.

Early voting at the McClain County Farm and Home Building will be today (Thursday) and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Due to the county fair going on, voters will enter the east side of the building.

Voting will be in a room next to the OSU Extension office.

The existing half-cent county sales tax is split between two key areas: public safety and essential county services.

The special election includes two separate propositions:

• Proposition 1 asks voters to permanently extend three-fourths of the existing half-cent sales tax (0.375%) for public safety purposes. This includes funding for the county sheriff’s department, emergency management services, rural fire departments and related facilities or operations.
• Proposition 2 would make the remaining one-fourth (0.125%) permanent to support essential county services, including 4-H programs, OSU extension services, senior centers, the county free fair, economic development and public facilities.

Officials emphasize that no new taxes will be introduced — the vote is only to make portions of an existing tax permanent starting Jan. 1, 2028. Both measures also allow the county to pledge the revenue toward debt service, if needed.

Lyles said the half-cent tax is currently in its second eight-year term after running for a five year term and an eight year term. He said McClain Countians have always been supportive at the polls, approving the tax by margins of 70 percent and 72 percent.

For more information about the election, contact the McClain County Election Board at 405 527-3121.